Your Guide to the Watkins Pre-Release Center in Columbia, South Carolina
The Watkins Pre-Release Center is a Minimum security prison in Columbia, South Carolina. Inmates are incarcerated in this facility, which the Department of Corrections (DOC) oversees. The Watkins Pre-Release Center is a federal facility, and there is specific protocol you need to follow in order to visit or contact an inmate there. However, keep in mind that the procedures you need to follow at the Watkins Pre-Release Center may be different from those at other prisons in South Carolina. If you plan on visiting family or friends at the Watkins Pre-Release Center, you need to be aware of this protocol before you arrive.
One of the easiest ways to learn about the Watkins Pre-Release Center is to search online. You can find information about this prison in Columbia by visiting its website at http://www.doc.sc.gov/institutions/watkins.jsp. You can also call the Watkins Pre-Release Center at 803-896-8584. Sometimes, different DOC facilities also have email addresses you can use to contact DOC officials. You can email Watkins Pre-Release Center at corrections.info@doc.state.sc.us.
Global Tel Link (GTL) – ConnectNetwork and Watkins Pre-Release Center
Global Tel Link (GTL) – ConnectNetwork is the official phone provider at Watkins Pre-Release Center. Inmates who want to make a call at this Columbia facility need to have accounts to call through Global Tel Link (GTL) – ConnectNetwork. Phone calls are not free at Watkins Pre-Release Center, and inmates must have funds in their accounts in order to make calls.
It is important that you are familiar with the rules associated with Global Tel Link (GTL) – ConnectNetwork and Watkins Pre-Release Center. Different facilities and carriers have different rules. In fact, you need to know this information so you understand:
- How much phone calls cost for inmates at a particular South Carolina DOC facility.
- Whether you have to apply to receive calls from inmates at the Watkins Pre-Release Center.
- How to open a phone account with Global Tel Link (GTL) – ConnectNetwork.
- How to add funds to an inmate’s phone account.